Hardware Standards for 2026-2027
Minimum Hardware Standards/Recommendations for Students
2026‐2027
All Majors excluding Architecture, Engineering, and Graphic Design
Engineering and Computer Science*
Construction Management*
Architecture*
Graphic Design
Higher‐End Computing, Gaming and/or Streaming Video
Operating System
Windows 11
Apple
Windows 11
Windows 11
Windows 11
Apple
Apple
Windows 11
Processor
Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 256V, 8 cores or better
Apple M5 10‐Core CPU, 10‐Core GPU or better
Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 256V, 8 cores or better
Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 256V, 8 cores or better.
Apple or Chromebooks will not be allowed.
Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 256V, 8 cores or better
Apple M4 Pro 14‐Core CPU, 20‐Core GPU or better.
Apple no longer includes Boot Camp or supports Windows‐only software.
Apple M4 Pro 14‐Core CPU, 20‐Core GPU or better
Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 Processor 275HX (36MB cache, 24 cores, 2.1 to 5.4 GHz P-Core)
Memory (RAM)
16GB RAM
16GB RAM
16GB RAM
16GB RAM
16GB RAM
24GB RAM
24GB RAM
32GB RAM
Hard Drive Size
1TB SSD storage
1TB SSD storage
1TB SSD storage
1TB SSD storage
1TB SSD storage
1TB SSD storage
1TB SSD storage
1TB SSD storage
Screen Size
No minimum standard‐ Student preference
No minimum standard‐ Student preference
No minimum standard‐ Student preference
14" Minimum
No minimum standard‐ Student preference
No minimum standard‐ Student preference
16.2‐inch Liquid Retina XDR display
No minimum standard‐ Student preference
Network Card
802.11ax/Wi‐Fi 6
802.11ax/Wi‐Fi 6
802.11ax/Wi‐Fi 6
802.11ax/Wi‐Fi 6
802.11ax/Wi‐Fi 6
802.11ax/Wi‐Fi 6
802.11ax/Wi‐Fi 6
802.11ax/Wi‐Fi 6
Graphics
4GB Graphics Memory or better
10-core GPU Integrated or better
4GB Graphics Memory or better
4GB Graphics Memory or better
8GB Graphics Memory or better
20-core GPU Integrated or better
20-core GPU Integrated or better
NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060, 8 GB GDDR7
*See Cummings School of Architecture Orientation Booklet for more detailed laptop and Apporto virtual desktop program information.